NOTHING IS ORDINARY

OMNIA OPERA are providing space rock derived from the heavier division obviously, that said with some Hawkwind leanings, far away from simple copy-cat mentality though. True to the motto - fixed by the album title - this is rich on ideas. The result is an entertaining double album, two hours full of sparkling details, twist and turns, spiked with highly melodic, extravagant and also jamming parts. Worth nothing without a straight rhythm branch as the backbone, consisting of founding member Andy Jones (bass) and drummer Neil Spragg. The more you get into the album you'll also realize that Captain Bagley has a large share with his synthesizer duties.

First CD starts with the hypnotic cosmic/kraut trip Destroyer Of Worlds - a bit gloomily outfitted - the next one though comes more lively due to the varied makeup, including vocal and encouraging guitar presence. Third one in the row Genus Of Angels is trippy hallucinogenic on the other hand. Well, up until now everybody must have noticed that this is really multi-faceted. And then the following tracks 4 and 5 represent the album's core, I would say - the creative peak. The title song opens with a motif which comes close to the well-known 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene', soon turns into another direction then with an impressing groove and melancholic mellotron alike impressions.

Another turn leads into a female vocal dominated part - it must be Libby Vale who sings 'Nothing Is Ordinary' - damn right! And then the band goes jamming with that order in the back, the bass temporarily seems to run out of control ... wow, what a great workout! The speedy Supernova follows, provided with a strong new electronica attitude first and impressive guitars played with glissando effect, sounds like a cooperation between Hawkwind and Gong in some way as for composition and implementation. And it's absolutely necessary to mention the dynamic Pictures On The News - first of all because Rob Lloyd serves a fantastic guitar solo here.

CD 2 appears to me a tad more flamboyant and even experimental, strange samples are worked into, vocals are otherwordly here and there, whacked-out trips like Clouds Gather will leave you puzzled, partially they are rrrrrocking like hell and then again they use the relaxed way with the Pink Floyd inspired Leanings Backwards ... Nothing is ordinary - OMNIA OPERA come out of hibernation with bravour - the first new album release since 1997, and what a precious one! Space cadets all over should pay attention here, highly recommended! So much spirit cumulated in recent years, a great experience - deserves a place on my best-of list for the year 2011 - 4.5 stars.

UK outfit OMNIA OPERA was formed back in 1985, and prior to taking an elongated hiatus they released two albums, "Omnia Opera" in 1993 and "Red Shift" in 1997. "Nothing Is Ordinary" is their first release since opting to continue again as a band, and this double feature was self-released in 2011 and then later picked up by the Italian label Black Widow Records for distribution.

Omnia Opera's return as recording artists have resulted in a high quality double-disc album, of which the first one documents the band at their very best with its hour long run through of high energy, high impact Hawkwind style space rock. The second disc documents the versatility of the band, and sees it explore space rock territories of a less intense and generally gentler overall nature. A fine production all in all, with fans of 70's Hawkwind being most likely the key audience.